West Australian seniors living at Mercy Health aged care homes are travelling to far-flung locations across the world – all without leaving the comfort of their armchairs – thanks to innovative new software that is improving the lives of residents living with dementia and memory loss.
From the savannah plains of Africa to the frozen lands of Antarctica, the ‘trips of a lifetime’ for the seniors are a result of the latest virtual reality software, which has been rolled out at not-for-profit aged care provider Mercy Health’s six aged care homes across Perth.
The software involves residents wearing 3D goggles, which enable them to view a computer-generated, 360 degree view of different reality worlds as they move their heads to look around their environment – whether that’s in Asia, Antarctica or the savannah plains.
Mercy Health has found the innovative equipment is proving to be especially beneficial for residents living with dementia, Alzheimer’s and memory loss, as a positive diversionary activity which has the ability to bring back memories from the past.
Mercy Health WA State Manager, Vicki Fitzgerald, said Mercy Health has spent more than $3000 on the virtual reality goggles and software after becoming aware of how seniors’ overall wellbeing could be enhanced as a result of the technology, from research carried out overseas.
“From the initial trials we ran, we have evidence that this new technology not only provides residents with a great deal of enjoyment and pleasure, it also assists those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s to recall memories about their life,” Ms Fitzgerald said.
“Mercy Health is focused on staying on top of technology to assist residents with improved quality of life and this virtual reality technology is proving a fantastic way for them to participate in some unique armchair travel.
“One resident who spent many years as a sailor has even been able to get back onto a ‘yacht’, which was particularly special for everyone involved in his care.”
Mercy Place Mandurah resident Beth Vine has been enjoying using the 3D goggles since they became a permanent feature at Mercy Health, following the initial trial.
“I had never been to visit Antarctica or Africa until now, and the goggles make you feel like you’re really there on a new adventure,” Mrs Vine said.
Ms Fitzgerald said the 3-D goggles were one of the ways Mercy Health was striving to put best practice care options, therapy and activities in place to cater for older people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s.
“According to Alzheimer’s Australia, there are currently more than 353,800 Australians living with dementia, and this number is expected to increase to 400,000 in less than five years,” she said.
“The statistics in terms of the implications for residents in aged care are also confronting; according to Alzheimer’s Australia, three in 10 people over the age of 85 and almost one in 10 people over 65 have dementia, which is now the second leading cause of death in Australia.
“With such overwhelming statistics, it is clear that the number of people in aged care living with dementia is only set to increase, which sets a challenge for the aged care sector in general with regards to how we respond to that challenge over the coming decades.
“At Mercy Health, we recognise the need to ensure we are thoroughly addressing the specific needs of people living with dementia, and providing specialised complementary and diversionary activities is one way we are able to better care for these residents.”
Mercy Health is a Catholic community not-for-profit provider of care, founded by the Sisters of Mercy and grounded in a 2000 year history of caring for those in need. The organisation is a national service provider of health and aged care throughout Victoria, Southern New South Wales, Western Australia, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.
In Western Australia, the organisation cares for over 300 people across six residential homes, with 78 independent living units.
From pages 21 and 22 from Issue 4: ‘Health’ of The Record Magazine